Farmers welcome job seeker farm placement trial   

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the commencement of the Federal Government’s Seasonal Work Incentives Trial.
The two-year trial aims to encourage job seekers to take up short-term work placements of six weeks in the horticulture industry. The work will not affect their existing income support payments.
Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the horticulture industry faced particular challenges in attracting staff, given the seasonal and transient nature of the work required.
“For this reason, the industry relies heavily on overseas workers to ensure sure what is grown can be harvested and sold – and not left to perish.”
Mr Mahar said the industry would always support an “Australian jobs first” approach and welcomed this initiative to attract more workers to the sector.
“The NFF awaits the outcome of the trial and hopes this program will help to alleviate some of the horticulture’s labour woes,” Mr Mahar said.